Do not reinvent the wheel!

I find this topic interesting and wanted to share my thoughts about it. This has always been one of the factors why I try to seek answers to my questions when I was in my mid twenties on how to become financially free. My parents were both teachers and we were living an average lifestyle. My parents were able to give me and my sister our basic needs however I always wondered why we always stay in that level. Don't get me wrong. I'm not a materialistic person. I would just often think a lot of "what if we were wealthy?" and "how would it be like to live wealthy?". The more I grew older the more I wanted to seek the answers to these questions. I attended seminars which started with seminars that were held in the company I was working with before. One thing led to another and next thing I know I was introduced to a group which advocates financial literacy. This group by the way is called IMG (Internation Marketing Group). They give free seminars about financial management. I was a regular attendee to their seminars. I learned a lot from this organization and until now actually I'm still a member of this organization. I could say a big part of my character in terms of being financially savvy was because of this organization. They taught me a big lesson in life and that is not to reinvent the wheel.

Let us define this idiom. According to wikipedia, to reinvent the wheel is to duplicate a basic method that has already previously been created or optimized by others. Thus, the key here is if you want to achieve something in life, find a person who has been there and make him your own mentor. Consider it like a shortcut if you want to accelerate your progress in achieving a particular goal in life. If you want to become healthy, you look for a quality gym and survey for a guy you want to emulate may he be a regular customer of that gym or an instructor, befriend this guy and make him your mentor. Same goes when we were in college, let's say you want to be a good doctor or lawyer, you and your parents find a quality university that has excellent teachers or mentors that will bring our the best in you. One way or another, we have already done this in our life. Our parents are also considered as mentors. But in our journey in life, why do we forget this invaluable lesson in life?

That's the reason I usually have mentors in every aspect of my life. May it be in investing, self-development, salsa dancing (yes I dance salsa!), working out and the list goes on. The bottom line is DO NOT REINVENT THE WHEEL!